SoCal Cocktail & Spirits Fest returns to Irvine with Orange Coast Magazine as media partner

SIP Awards is bringing the 3rd Annual SoCal Cocktail & Spirits Fest back to Irvine on Oct. 24, 2026, with more than 30 spirits brands, tastings, entertainment and a VIP lounge at Gillette House. Orange Coast Magazine is the event’s official media partner, and proceeds will also support Southern California cat rescue nonprofit MeoowzResQ.

Why it matters: - The festival is a high-visibility showcase for Orange County’s cocktail and spirits scene, pairing consumer tastings with direct access to distillers, founders and brand ambassadors. - Orange Coast Magazine’s new role as official media partner gives the event broader reach with readers who follow dining, entertainment, arts and lifestyle coverage in the region. - The event also adds a charitable angle by supporting MeoowzResQ, a local nonprofit focused on cat rescue and adoption.

What happened: - SIP Awards announced the 3rd Annual SoCal Cocktail & Spirits Fest for Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at Gillette House in Irvine. - Orange Coast Magazine is serving as the event’s official media partner. - The festival will feature more than 30 premium spirits brands, including tequila, mezcal, whiskey, bourbon, vodka, gin and Champagne. - Tickets and information are available here.

The details: - VIP admission begins at 5 p.m. and includes early access to participating brands and tastings. - The Orange Coast Magazine VIP Lounge will include a caviar station, special amenities and a dedicated space for VIP guests. - VIP guests will also receive a limited-edition SIP Awards neat glass and a two-month associate membership to the Los Angeles Tequila Club. - General admission begins at 6 p.m., and the event ends at 9 p.m. - The festival will include live entertainment, interactive brand experiences, a 360-degree photo booth, food offerings and a silent auction. - Guests will be able to buy select bottles through Louie’s Liquor, the event’s on-site retail program. - MeoowzResQ representatives will be on-site with adoptable cats. - Guests must be 21 or older and show valid government-issued photo identification.

Between the lines: - The event extends SIP Awards’ consumer-judging model into a live, social setting where attendees can sample products and connect with the people behind them. - Orange Coast Magazine’s involvement signals a push to align the festival with Orange County’s broader lifestyle and culinary audience. - The partnership with MeoowzResQ gives the festival a community-service component that goes beyond spirits and entertainment. - Paul Hashemi, CEO of SIP Awards, said the event is designed to help guests discover new favorites while meeting the brands and enjoying cocktails, food and entertainment. - Orange Coast Editor-in-Chief Tina Borgatta said the partnership fits the publication’s interest in Orange County’s food and cocktail scene.

What's next: - SIP Awards will host media credentials, interviews with participating brands and event organizers, and photography opportunities by request. - Attendees can expect brand activations, tastings and retail purchasing opportunities throughout the evening in Irvine. - MeoowzResQ will use the event to raise awareness for animal rescue and adoption.

The bottom line: - The SoCal Cocktail & Spirits Fest is aiming to be both a tasting event and a brand-building platform, with Orange Coast Magazine helping amplify its reach across Orange County.